A TEENAGER was headbutted by a motorist in an unprovoked attack after being asked for directions in Burnley town centre.

Burnley College student Robert Brooks, who had been celebrating his 17th birthday with family, suffered a suspected broken nose in the attack on Westgate, Burnley.

He was walking with his girlfriend when a a Volkswagon Golf pulled up and the front seat passenger asked for directions to the nearest Travel Lodge.

As Robert leaned in to the black car to give directions he said he was grabbed by his shirt and headbutted three times.

Robert, who has just completed the first year of his bricklaying course, said: “I was scared for my life.

“I was just walking down when the three guys in the car asked for directions.

“As I put my head down so I could speak to him he just came half-way out of the car and grabbed me.

“He headbutted me three times and then punched me.

“I was struggling to get away.

“He kept on saying where is the nearest Travel Lodge.”

Robert, who is from Ightenhill, said the man let him go after punching him and dragging him for 30 seconds while the driver did a u-turn.

Robert attended Burnley General Hospital and is awaiting an examination on Friday to establish whether his nose is dislocated or broken.

The attacker was described as being in his mid-twenties with a receding hairline and wore a white t-shirt.

No descriptions are available for the two other men.

Police have appealed for witnesses to the ‘unprovoked’ attack, which occurred at 10.45pm on Saturday.

Sgt Phil Carter said: “This was an unprovoked attack while a teenager was walking along the street.

“The black volkswagen pulled up alongside him and asked for directions.

"As the young lad bent down to assist a male grabbed hold of him and headbutted his face.”

Anyone with information should contact the police on 01282 425001 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.